Women's Center - A-Z Index

Hydrocele repair

Hydrocele repair is surgery to correct the swelling of the scrotum
that occurs when you have a hydrocele. A hydrocele
is the backup of fluid around a testicle.

Baby boys sometimes have a hydrocele at birth. Hydroceles also occur in older boys and men. Sometimes they form when there is also a hernia (an abnormal bulging of tissue) present. Hydroceles are fairly common.

Surgery to repair a hydrocele is often done at an outpatient clinic, not a hospital. The patient will receive general anesthesia and will be asleep and pain-free during the procedure.

In a baby or child:

The surgeon makes a small surgical cut in the fold of the groin, and then drains the fluid. The sac (hydrocele) holding the fluid may be removed. The surgeon strengthens the muscle wall with stitches. This is called a hernia repair.

Sometimes the surgeon uses a laparoscope to do this procedure. A laparoscope is a tiny camera that the surgeon inserts into the area through a small surgical cut. The camera is attached to a video monitor. The surgeon makes the repair with small instruments that are inserted through other small surgical cuts.

In adults, the cut is usually made on the scrotum. The surgeon then drains the fluid after removing part of the hydrocele sac.

Alternative Names

Hydrocelectomy

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Hydroceles often go away on their own in children, but not in adults. Most hydroceles in infants will go away by the time they are 2 years old.

Risks

Before the Procedure

An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in pain control and giving pain medicines. He or she will talk with you about your or your child’s medical history. This information helps the doctor choose the type and amount of anesthesia to use.

Always tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription. Also tell your doctor if you have any drug allergies or if you have had bleeding problems in the past.

Several days before surgery, adults may be asked to stop taking aspirin or other drugs that affect blood clotting. These include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), some herbal supplements, and others.

You or your child may be asked to stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the procedure.

Take the medicines your doctor told you take with a small sip of water.

After the Procedure

Patients usually recover quickly. Most can go home a few hours after surgery. Children should take it easy and rest more than usual the first few days after surgery. Normal activity can usually start again in about 4 to 7 days.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The success rate for hydrocele repair is very high. The long-term prognosis is excellent, but another hydrocele may form over time, or if there was also a hernia present.

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